Features of the MTDC Trail Rake
Based on comments received from Trails Unlimited, a U.S.
Department of Agriculture Forest Service enterprise group,
from Dick Dufourd and others on the Deschutes National
Forest, and on our own observations, MTDC redesigned the
trail rake with the following key features:
• A 4-foot-wide tine assembly that can be shifted 11 inches
to either side and raised from 3 inches below grade to 11
inches above grade
• Replacement tines that are commercially available
• A U-joint connection between the ATV and the rake to
provide flexibility on uneven terrain and to reduce the
possibility that the ATV might roll over if the rake does
• A special heavy-duty battery that can be tipped at any
angle and that is not easily damaged by vibration
• Handlebar-mounted joystick controls
Toggle switch
Joystick
Figure 2—A handlebar-mounted joystick that controls the trail rake’s
hydraulics is easy to reach and easy to use.
to be positioned where it can be reached easily. This feature
allows the ATV operator to keep both hands on the handlebars while driving.
The tine assembly can be raised from 3 inches below to 11
inches above grade. This range allows the rake to cut deeply
enough to level the trail and also provides enough clearance
for the rake to be loaded onto a trailer easily when the tine
assembly is fully raised.
The new trail rake weighs 580 pounds and will fit in the back The side-shift
of an 8-foot-long truck bed (standard in most full-size pickup capability is
trucks).
new. When the
tine assembly is
shifted to the
side and rotated,
Design and Specifications
the rake can pull
soil back from
The MTDC Trail Rake is equipped with a 12-volt hydraulic berms alongside
power pack, paired with three hydraulic cylinders. This allows the trail (figure
the rake’s tine assembly to be moved up and down, rotated
3). These berms
clockwise and counterclockwise, and shifted from side to side. can be removed
without having
All movements are controlled with a four-way joystick (figure to drive the
2), mounted on the handlebars of the ATV. Depending on the ATV off the
position of the toggle switch, left and right on the joystick
trail—a major
activate either the rotate or side-shift cylinder. Up and down improvement.
on the joystick always control the elevation of the rake assembly, no matter how the toggle switch is positioned. The joystick
housing is mounted to a flexible gooseneck arm, allowing it
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Figure 3—The assembly can be extended 11 inches
beyond the edge of the wheels to pull dirt back
onto the trail.
Field Evaluation
ATV Considerations
Trails Unlimited has used the original trail rake for years and
proposed that MTDC redesign it, offering several suggestions
that were incorporated into the new design. The first prototype
of the new design was field tested for a year by Trails Unlimited. They were impressed with the MTDC Trail Rake’s ability
to move material. Because the new rake is heavier and has
heavy-duty tines, it can move much more material than the
original trail rake. They believe that the new trail rake can
take the place of heavier equipment, such as skid steers, for
some projects. Trails Unlimited also appreciated the ability to
shift the blade from side to side, the increased vertical travel
of the tine assembly, and the convenience of the joystick
control.
The new 580-pound trail rake may tax the limits of many
ATVs. At least a 500-cubic-centimeter ATV is recommended
to pull the MTDC trail rake. Bigger is better. The ATV must
be four-wheel drive, liquid cooled, and have low-range gearing.
Some belt-driven ATV drive trains are reported to slip and
overheat under heavy loads. Trails Unlimited used a 2003
500-cubic-centimeter Honda Rubicon to pull the rake. MTDC
has not evaluated the suitability of particular ATVs for pulling
the MTDC Trail Rake.
Trails Unlimited also suggested a couple of improvements.
Sometimes operators wearing thick gloves would inadvertently
push the joystick left or right, shifting the tine assembly to
the side or rotating it, when they intended to raise it. MTDC
remedied this problem in the final design by using a four-way
instead of an eight-way joystick, reducing the precision needed
to operate it.
The U-joint connection between the ATV and the rake was
designed to provide flexibility on uneven terrain and to reduce
the possibility that the ATV might roll over if the trail rake
does (figure 4). This system allows for better articulation than
provided by a standard ball-and-socket trailer hitch. The ATV
must have a 1¼-inch receiver, which is not standard equipment
on many ATVs. Aftermarket receivers are available for certain
makes of ATVs. Otherwise, a custom hitch must be fabricated.
The other complaint was that the rake was top heavy. In the
final design, the battery was moved from its original location
above the blade to a lower position on the back axle. This not
only lowered the center of gravity, but also lightened the
tongue weight to about 180 pounds.
MTDC built two more trail rakes with the improved design.
Those trail rakes are undergoing field testing by Trails
Unlimited and Central Oregon Combined Off-Highway Vehicle
Operations (COHVOPS).
Figure 4—The U-joint assembly connecting the ATV and the trail rake
provides better articulation than a ball-and-socket hitch. The receiver on
this ATV is custom built. Aftermarket receivers for some ATVs are commercially available.
The first prototype tested by Trails Unlimited is back at
MTDC. Inspection showed that it held up well over a year of Although the trail rake has its own 12-volt battery, the battery
field testing.
is charged by the ATV charging system. We recommend that
the ATV alternator have an output of at least 20 amps.
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Basic Operating Procedures
Availability
The MTDC Trail Rake performs best when it is used to cut
small amounts of material at speeds ranging from 3 to 7 miles
per hour. Ruts and whoop-de-doos will be removed after several passes. The ATV should be operated in four-wheel-drive
low range.
The MTDC Trail Rake is not commercially available. Fabrication drawings (MTDC–1036, MTDC Trail Rake) are
available from MTDC. Contact Deb Mucci (phone: 406–329–
3999, e-mail: dmucci@fs.fed.us) if you want a copy. MTDC
would like to find a manufacturer interested in building and
selling the rake. Encourage anyone interested in building the
rake to contact us.
Move the side shifter from side to side occasionally to keep
dirt and debris from building up in the side-shifter’s channels.
To properly maintain your ATV, allow the ATV a chance to
cool down when it becomes hot, and always keep fluids at
the appropriate levels.
The trail rake also requires maintenance. Hydraulic fluid levels
Parts for the MTDC Trail Rake prototype cost $2,900. The
MTDC Trail Rake takes about 15 days to fabricate. Parts and
fabrication costs could be reduced if the rake was produced
commercially.
need to be checked periodically and the rake’s two grease
fittings (zerks) should be greased periodically. One fitting is
in the U-joint assembly; the second is in the head of the main Contact Information
pivot bolt of the tine assembly. Lubricate the pivot plates and
the height adjustment holes with copper antiseize lubricant. Tyler V. Kuhn
Phone: 406–329–3099
Make sure that the trail rake’s battery and the ATV’s battery
E-mail: tvkuhn@fs.fed.us
are fully charged before connecting them through the rake’s
trickle charger. Even a small voltage difference between the Brian Vachowski
batteries will draw enough current to blow the 20-amp inline
Phone: 406–329–3935
fuse. The fuse should prevent permanent damage to the ATV
E-mail: bvachowski@fs.fed.us
and the trail rake, but the fuse will need to be replaced. A 5amp fuse in the relay box helps to protect the joystick and
Trails Unlimited—Cam Lockwood
control circuitry. Keep extra fuses with you!
Phone: 626–233–4309
E-mail: clockwood01@fs.fed.us
Forest Service operators need training before operating ATVs
and this specialized piece of equipment. Job hazard analyses COHVOPS—Paul Amar or Mark Myers
need to be customized for the particular conditions and activities of the job at hand. Steep slopes, rocky or uneven terrain,
fire danger, and dusty conditions may be among the items that
need to be addressed in a job hazard analysis. ATV operation
also requires specific personal protective equipment. In the
Forest Service, regional policies differ regarding the use of
ATVs for trail work, so be sure to know the rules that apply
to you.
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Phone: 541–383–4090
E-mail: pramar@fs.fed.us or memyers@fs.fed.us